Naxxar’s Terrence Scerri (right) tries to dispossess Jonathan Bondin. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Qormi 5
Jorginho 36, 64; Effiong 56, 61, 81;
Naxxar Lions 1
Gilmar 21;

The fight to avoid the drop to Division One next season became more complicated yesterday when Qormi came from behind to beat crisis-hit Naxxar Lions in an entertaining Relegation Pool encounter.

This was an impressive attacking display from the Yellow-Blacks who hit a three-goal burst in the second half to turn the match in their favour and pile further misery on the Lions who have now slid into the serious trouble.

The Lions had looked as if they were on their way to end a negative run of just one point from their previous six matches when the returning Gilmar put them ahead midway through the first half.

However, Qormi’s attacking duo Jorginho and Alfred Effiong then came to the fore.

Jorginho pulled his team level with an exquisite free-kick late in the first half before Effiong profited from some poor defending from the Lions to score two quick goals in the space of five minutes to put his team in charge of the match.

Jorginho added his second minutes later before Effiong completed his hat-trick late on as Qormi wrapped up an impressive victory that lifted them on the 14-point-mark, one point adrift of Naxxar and Tarxien and one better off than next-bottom Vittoriosa Stars.

Rabat’s demise to Division One football looks all but certain following their 3-1 upset to Vittoriosa. However, the other team to join them looks uncertain as now there are four teams – Naxxar, Qormi, Tarxien and Vittoriosa – all engaged in a tense battle to avoid the drop with Floriana also embroiled in the tussle.

Qormi coach Karel Zeman was boosted by the return of goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia, who had missed his team’s last two matches due to injury. He started in goal at the expense of Steve Sultana.

Italian defender Giorgio Gianola returned to the starting formation and partnered Roderick Sammut in defence as Argentine striker Lucas Cantoro was dropped to the bench. Winger Leighton Grech was preferred to Emerson Vella.

Brazilian schemer Gilmar returned for Naxxar as he replaced Nigerian midfielder Raimi Bakare who was forced to sit out of the match with a one-match suspension.

Coach Winston Muscat also had Ryan Gilmour Cassar in his starting line-up to fill the void left by John Debono who was not included in the 18-man squad.

Naxxar created the first chance on nine minutes but Gilmar’s low drive was easily blocked by keeper Farrugia.

The match developed into a tight affair as both teams were seeking to make inroads in the final third but with little success. As a result scoring chances came at a premium.

However, Naxxar broke the deadlock on 21 minutes when Daren Falzon released Andrew Decesare on the left wing and the Lions winger immediately delivered the ball inside the Qormi box where Gilmar was on hand to head past Farrugia.

Ten minutes later, the Lions almost doubled their lead when in a quick break, Gilmar raced past two defenders before he put Andre Rocha Da Silva clear. However, the latter was blocked by the onrushing Farrugia.

Qormi were unable to threaten the Naxxar defence and craved for a moment of brilliance from one of their forwards to score an equaliser.

That duly arrived on 36 minutes when the inspirational Effiong won a free-kick from a central position a few metres outside the area. Jorginho stepped up for the kick and he curled home his effort past the diving Julian Azzopardi, the Naxxar goalkeeper.

Qormi started the second half with more determination and a minute after restart Azzopardi was alert to palm away Grech’s cross-shot.

Then, the Yellow-Blacks were gifted a second goal when Rocha Da Silva’s attempt to pass the ball back to his goalkeeper went horribly wrong as he completely miscued.

Effiong was quick to retrieve possession, powering his way forward before hitting a firm drive in the corner of the net.

The Lions were rattled and five minutes later Effiong embarked on another mazy run that took him past two Naxxar men before placing his shot beyond Azzo-pardi’s reach.

Qormi maintained the pace and three minutes later Effiong exchanged passes with Jorginho, dashed into the penalty area before he pulled the ball back to his strike partner who kept his cool to stab the ball into the net from routine distance.

More woes followed for Naxxar as on 68 minutes they were reduced to ten men when Decesare was shown a second yellow card after he hit Grech with his arm in an attempt to block the Qormi winger’s run.

Effiong completed his hat-trick nine minutes from time when in another surging break he moved past Thiago before lobbing the ball over the Naxxar keeper and into the net.

Qormi
M. Farrugia-6, J. Bondin-6, R. Sammut-6.5 (71 E. Vella), G. Gianola-6, D. Pisani-6.5, T. Caruana-6, Gabriel-6.5 (85 D. Pirotta), S. Quinteri-6, L. Grech-6.5, Jorginho-7.5 (71 L. Cantoro), A. Effiong-8.

Naxxar Lions
J. Azzopardi-4, A. Buhagiar-5, R. Cassar-5, Gilmar-5, A. Decesare, D. Falzon-5, T. Lopez-4.5, D. Reano-5 (77 M. Vignjevic), A. Rocha Da Silva-4, T. Scerri-5, F. Stojanovic-5.

Referee: Alan Mario Sant.

Yellow cards: Rocha Da Silva, Gabriel, Decesare, Gilmar, Quinteri, Gianola.

Red card: Decesare (N) 68.

BOV Player of the match: Alfred Effiong (Qormi).

Standings